1 arrested as crackdown on illegal water connections intensifies

Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company‘s (NCWSC) security and technical teams, in collaboration with the administration police unit, have intensified its crackdown on illegal water connections in Shauri Moyo and Jericho estates in Nairobi County.

According to a statement posted on Nairobi Water’s official X account on Thursday, March 20, 2025, it was stated that during the operation, one person was arrested for allegedly operating a car wash using illegally connected water.

The suspect was taken into custody and booked at Jogoo Road Police Station.

“Our security and technical teams, with the reinforcement from the Administration Police Unit, are carrying out a crackdown on illegal water connections at Shauri Moyo and Jericho estates. One person suspected to be operating a car wash using illegally connected water has been arrested and booked at Jogoo Road Police Station,” Nairobi Water’s statement reads.

Nairobi Water further urged residents to report any illegal connections through its toll-free line to help in the fight against water losses and service disruptions.

Illegal water connection

Illegal water connections in Nairobi contribute to water shortages, revenue losses, and service disruptions, prompting frequent crackdowns by authorities.

On February 21, 2025, NCWSC security and technical teams, led by the lower Embakasi regional manager, Martha Bedi, conducted a crackdown on illegal water connections on a pipeline running along Outer Ring Road in the Kware area, Lower Embakasi Region.

During the operation, 13 illegal water pumps drawing water directly from the pipeline and serving residents of Outer-Ring, Donholm, Fedha, Pipeline, Nyayo, and Umoja Estates were disconnected.

“Earlier today, NCWSC Security and Technical teams with reinforcement from the Administration Police Unit carried out a crackdown on illegal water connections on a pipeline running along Outer Ring Road at Kware area, Lower Embakasi Region. The disconnection exercise overseen by the team netted 13 illegal water pumps drawing water directly from the pipeline and serving residents of Outer- Ring, Donholm, Fedha, Pipeline, Nyayo, and Umoja Estates,” the NCWSC statement reads.

Bedi urged residents of the area to take proactive steps in regularizing their water connections.

“We want to urge our customers to come forward and regularize their connections. A good number of meter allocations are ongoing,” she urged.